The OM-D E-M10 II brings 5-axis in-body image stabilization to Olympus’ smallest micro four-thirds body. The camera also features an excellent OLED electronic viewfinder, much-improved controls, a fast electronic shutter and a new focus-bracketing (focus-stacking) mode. At US$649, it’s a strong contender as an entry-level or backup MFT camera, but how does it rank as compared to the superior E-M5 II (US$350 more, weather sealed, fully articulating LCD), the Fujifilm X-T10, Lumix G7 or the Sony a6000? Gordon weighs in on all of the above.

Read Gordon’s detailed review on Cameralabs.com.

Buy the OM-D E-M10 II from B&H, Adorama or Amazom UK.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 IIImage QualityControls, Ergonomics, MenusEcosystemValue/Cost2015-10-194.3MFT Power in a Small Package

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The Panasonic Lumix GX8 is the third in the company's "GX" line to which they've added weather sealing, a fully articulating LCD, 4K video, 4-axis in-body image stabilization and a 20MP sensor. The GX8 is a great mid-range micro-four-thirds camera that leverages Panasonic's superiority in video including great capabilities to shoot 4K video for the purpose of extracting 8MP still images.

Doug and Gordon explore what's been updated since the GX7 came out two years ago, where the new camera fits into the Lumix line, and compare the GX8 to similarly priced cameras from Olympus, Fujifilm and Sony.

Read Gordon's detailed review of the GX8 on CameraLabs.com.

Buy the GX8 from Amazon.com, B&H, Adorama, Amazon UK or Amazon DE.

The Panasonic Lumix GX8 is the third in the company’s “GX” line to which they’ve added weather sealing, a fully articulating LCD, 4K video, 4-axis in-body image stabilization and a 20MP sensor. The GX8 is a great mid-range micro-four-thirds camera that leverages Panasonic’s superiority in video including great capabilities to shoot 4K video for the purpose of extracting 8MP still images.

Doug and Gordon explore what’s been updated since the GX7 came out two years ago, where the new camera fits into the Lumix line, and compare the GX8 to similarly priced cameras from Olympus, Fujifilm and Sony.

Read Gordon’s detailed review of the GX8 on CameraLabs.com.

Buy the GX8 from Amazon.com, B&H, Adorama, Amazon UK or Amazon DE.

Panasonic Lumix GX8Image QualityControls, Ergonomics, MenusEcosystemCost/Value2015-10-054.0Stabilized 4K Video Mid-Range Camera

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The DxO One is a unique camera. Like the Sony QX cameras, it depends on a smartphone for its viewfinder/display and controls, but the One is iPhone-only and connects via the Lightning port rather than WiFi. For years, special guest Alex Lindsay has begged for camera manufacturers to decouple the optics and sensor from the user interface, allowing third parties to provide a variety of controllers to meet a variety of needs. The One doesn't go quite that far -- there's no API for others to write controlling iPhone apps -- but it delivers a much improved experience as compared to the Sonys.

The DxO One has a 1" 20MP sensor and a 32mm (full-frame equivalent) f/1.8 lens with an adjustable (to f/11) aperture, shutter to 1/8000 second and ability to shoot to ISO 12,800 (normal mode), delivering image quality much improved over that of even the latest iPhones. Of interest to serious photographers will be that the One can capture RAW files as well as JPEGs. And if you don't need to see the image while shooting, you can even use it without the iPhone. (The camera holds a microSD card.)

Some of the above images from the DxO One website.

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The Sony RX100 mk IV is a rare beast: the fourth generation in a very successful line of cameras. But at US$950, it's also the most-expensive point-and-shoot compact that fits in a pocket. The mk IV is the same size as its predecessor, but has a number of improvements including 4K video, 16fps shooting (up from 10fps), a faster electronic shutter, enhanced autofocus, a better EVF, more video options and an amazing slow-motion video capability up to 1000fps.

If you want the very best in this format, the RX100 mk IV is the clear leader. But should you upgrade? Doug owns a mk III. Is he making the leap for the new model?

The gear for this show was supplied by BorrowLenses.com. For a 10% discount on your next order, use code TWIPROCKS.

 

Purchase the Sony RX100 IV from B&H or Amazon.com.

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The Sony a7R mk II is already being heralded by many as Camera of the Year. While most camera "sequels" add a new feature or two, Sony has put their best-of-everything technologies into the successor to the a7R. Is it the ultimate do-anything camera?

At 42MP it's competing with the new Canon 5DS for high-resolution. But the Sony a7R mk II also has great autofocus, dynamic range, in-body image stabilization and low noise. Gordon and Doug consider if it's their new favorite of all cameras. Or not!

Read Gordon's full-length review on CameraLabs.com.

Buy the Sony a7R mk II from B&H or Amazon.com.

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The Leica Q is the first of what could become an entirely new product line for the German manufacturer. It includes a non-interchangeable 28mm f/1.7 Summilux autofocus (!) lens coupled with a gorgeous full-frame sensor. At US$4,250, the Leica Q is hardly a camera for everyone, but that's less than half what you'd spend for a digital Leica M plus a similar lens.

Doug and Frederick discuss the controversial lens/sensor combination: Purists are outraged that Leica is using the Summilux brand on a lens that requires processing the image, even for RAW files. Doug says, "Why not? The results are spectacular."

For Doug, it's a great street-photographer's camera. (Full disclosure: He's an unabashed fanboy and owns a Leica Q.) He says the controls and handling are terrific. Doug even uses it in full-automatic mode, overriding aperture, shutter speed, focus and ISO only when he needs to. And he says the EVF may be the best and brightest he's ever seen.

Is the Leica Q perfect? Certainly not. And at that price one has to consider alternatives such as the almost-as-good Fujifilm X100T and Sony's RX1R. But if street photography is your thing and you can swing the $$, the Leica Q may be for you.

Buy the Leica Q from B&H or Amazon.com.

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Nearly three years since the release of the popular 5D mk III, Canon has finally brought out the much-anticipated 50.6MP 5DS and 5DSR. Yes, these are the current leaders in the megapixel wars, beating out the 42MP Sony A7R mk II by a few months and megapixels.

These are clearly pedal-to-the-metal high-resolution still cameras. Video is barely an afterthought. (Canon has even stripped the headphone jack and clean HDMI outputs.) And the 5DS/R don't have the advanced autofocus systems of the lower-end 7D mk II and 70D. These cameras aren't intended for subject that move quickly. But put them on a tripod and add some high-end Canon glass, and you'll get the highest-resolution images you can generate without going to medium format.

Are the few extra megapixels worth $500 more than the 42MP of the Sony a7R mk II or $700 more than the 36MP Nikon D810? Watch or listen!

And speaking of Canon glass, in this episode Gordon also reviews the new 11-24mm EF f/4, the long-awaited response to Nikon's legendary 14-24mm f/2.8.

Read Gordon's in-depth review on CameraLabs.com.

Buy the Canon 5DS from B&H.

Buy the Canon 5DSR from B&H.

Buy the Canon 11-24mm EF f/4 from B&H.